Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

PROVIDING CONTINOUS AND GOOD WATER SUPPLY COVERAGE TO PENANG CONSUMERS

The main corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the PBAHB Group of Companies and our main Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is to provide continuous and good water supply to Penang consumers. In 2015, Penang’s population was 1.663 million and we achieved 100% urban water supply coverage and 99.7% rural water supply coverage.

In 2015, there was a slight decrease in water consumption at 812.8 million litres per day as compared to 813.42 million liters per day in 2014. On 1st April 2015, the New Penang Water Tariffs were implemented, which was aimed at reducing water consumption and to avoid water rationing. Even with the new water tariffs, our domestic water tariffs for consumption of up to 35,000 liters per month are still the lowest in Malaysia. The water tariff review is in line with the Penang State Government’s intention to turn Penang into a “Green State” and PBAPP’s mission to continue supplying water to as many Penang residents as possible every day, especially those in the lower income group.

SUPPORT FOR THE NEEDY AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

For the benefit of very low-income households in Penang, PBAPP has been providing tariff rebates and “interest-free loans” for water supply connections. Under the “Kampung Loans” programme, 50 households received interest-free loans totaling RM72,625.40 from PBAPP for water connections in 2015. The maximum income of these households was RM1,000 per month and they were eligible for interest-free loans of up to RM1,500 each, payable by installments via water bills. PBAPP also waived all deposits, including trunk mains contributions for these “kampung loan” connections.

Under its tariff rebate programme, PBAPP provided two categories of support to 217 householdstotaling RM18,881.56 in 2015. The monthly income of these households was not more than RM770 per month. The beneficiaries were recommended by the Penang State Welfare Office or District Offices and endorsed by the State Economic Planning Unit. For the first category of qualified premises without existing water connections, one free connection was provided from the main pipeline to the premise, to one tap. Needy households who required pipe connections under this category were also given waivers for meter deposits. Normal meter deposits range between RM50 to RM100, depending on the type and size of building.

For the second category of qualified premises with existing water connections, PBAPP provided a water bill rebate for consumption of up to 60,000 liters every two months (1 cycle). Apart from the two categories, PBAPP also provide water rebates for Places of Worship since March 2009. In 2015, more than 9,000 places of worship
consisting of mosques, surau, churches, Chinese and Hindu temples, were given rebates amounting to RM66,380.00.

HOUSEHOLDS OF EIGHT PERSONS AND MORE GET 60% WCS REBATE

Big households of 8 persons or more can apply for the 60% Water Conservation Surcharge (WCS) rebate since 1 May 2014. Application forms can be obtained from PBAPP’s 9 Customer Care Centres. As of 31 December 2015, WCS rebates amounted to RM37,877.10.

KELANTAN FLOOD RELIEF MISSION

12 members of the Water Regiment 60th RAJD (AW) Squadron Penang were involved in a Flood Relief Mission in Kelantan from 5 – 11 January 2015, led by Squadron Commanding Officer, Major Mohd Nizam Omar. The humanitarian aid included supply of clean water around Kuala Krai and Manik Urai Lama areas via 2 PBAPP water tanks and repair work at the electrical distribution main switchboard,
to pump water from the new Pahi Intake to the Pahi Water Treatment Plant in Kuala Krai, Kelantan. The Penang Squadron also assisted in clearing the surrounding areas of the school and mosque at Kuala Krai and Manek Urai Lama. Besides the Regiment, the Persatuan Kebajikan Kakitangan Islam PBAPP and Persatuan Eksekutif also sent other basic essentials to the flood victims. All items were sent to Air Kelantan Sdn. Bhd, who then distributed the items to the flood victims.

SQUASH DEVELOPMENT IN PENANG

PBA Holdings Bhd Group of Companies has always been very supportive of the development of squash in Penang. It started with the building of the international squash centre, now known as the Nicol David International Squash Centre (NDISC) in 1985. Since then, PBA continues to assist in the maintenance and upgrading works to ensure the centre is in good condition as a training venue and as host to international events.

In 2015, the company sponsored the “PBA Penang International Junior Squash Open Championship”. PBAPP, the wholly owned subsidiary of PBAHB, also sponsored Malaysian national women No. 2-ranked squash player, Low Wee Wern.

MAIN SPONSOR FOR THE PENANG FOOTBALL TEAM

As a responsible corporate citizen that aspires to see the development and success of the Penang Football Team, PBAPP was the main sponsor of the Football Association of Penang (FAP) to help finance Penang’s football team, also known as the “Penang Panthers”. The team, with a combination of local and imported players, performed superbly in the Malaysian Premier League, finishing as Runners-Up and claimed a ticket to the 2016 Malaysia Super League. It brought back glory to the Penang football team, which was once prominent in the 1970s and 1980s.

SUPPORTING PENANG STATE EVENTS

PBAPP once again played a significant role as a sponsor for the Georgetown Festival 2015, a month-long celebration of the inscription of George Town on the UNESCO World Heritage Listing. An annual event, the Festival is a feast of theatre, music, dance, film, art, opera, food, fashion, photography, and inspirational talks. The festival promotes arts and culture and to engage all stakeholders to work collectively with the aim of stimulating Penang’s economy and its presence as a tourism destination. The Festival acts as a catalyst to advance art and heritage educations, promotes dialogue, and encourages mutual understanding between urban communities of the past and present. Other state events supported by PBAPP in 2015 were the Penang Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus and the Penang Island Jazz Festival.

INTERNATIONAL DRAGONBOAT FESTIVAL

The 36th Penang International Dragonboat Festival was held on 28th – 29th May 2015 at the Teluk Bahang Dam and attracted more than 2,000 participants from Australia, China, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and UAE. This event, which is a major state tourism event in Penang’s annual sporting and cultural calendar, is an attraction for both local Penangites and tourists.

WATER AWARENESS AND CONSERVATION

As Penang is a water-stressed state with limited raw water resources and unlimited potential for growth, PBAPP promotes wise usage of water in households.

Penang is the first state to introduce Water Conservation Surcharge (WCS) as one of the efforts to curb excessive use of tap water by domestic consumers. It aims to encourage households to reduce their per capita domestic consumption from 293 liters per capita per day in 2014 to 260 liters per person per day as soon as possible.

PBAPP’s sustainable water supply programme in 2015 included sponsorship of projects undertaken by Water Watch Penang (WWP) to promote water awareness and conservation. WWP is a nongovernment organisation that carries out projects that help to focus public attention on the urgent need to save water at home.

Top on WWP’s annual calendar is the commemoration of World Water Day in Penang. Since 1999, PBAPP has been actively supporting and participating in this event that highlights the latest information and trends related to water saving in Penang and all over the world.

PBAPP also took part in water conservation campaigns in schools and the Penang Green Carnival 2015.